Q&A 1

I have posted my blog link to the WHIMS community on RareConnect.org (a link will be added at the end of this post). Since then, more people have viewed my blog. I wanted to thank those people and hope that this blog will help them. I have also received my first questions for the blog (yay!) from that site.

Rob Pleticha says: 

Hi Caitlyn,

Thanks for sharing your blog here. Putting a face on WHIM syndrome and raising awareness will help inform the wider public about what is like to live with WHIM. How old were you when you were diagnosed? What is the right balance of treatments that helps minimize infections?

Dear Mr. Pleticha,

I hope this blog will grow and turn into something that will help those without WHIMS understand what it's like as well as help guide those with WHIMS. It is people like you and others at RareConnect.org that are a huge part of my goal. 

I was diagnosed at the age of 12 (2006). Two years before I was diagnosed, the WHIMS gene was isolated at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. After the gene was isolated, my many (many!) doctors put 2 and 2 together to diagnose me. 

As for medications, I am currently on a weekly at home treatment of immunoglobulins to boost my immune system. I set up the medications myself and administer it subcutaneously.

I hope this answers your questions. And as for everyone, let me know if you have any questions.

Thank You!!